Forensic genetics and biology

What is it?


Forensic genetics and biology is one of the areas of forensic science, using the knowledge and techniques of genetic and molecular biology, to support and assist justice, solve cases under police investigation and or prosecution. This area is also known in Forensic as DNA.



For what purpose?


Francisco Corte-Real, vice president of INML (Instituto de Medicina Legal) and expert in forensic genetic biology says that the knowledge of this area is extremely important to help solve cases which, otherwise, would never be solved.


In the case of a homicide, for example, teams of experts from INML moving to the site of the crime, collect traces considered important, of the aggressor fragmetos of skin, hair, blood stains, among other things, protecting all that may be liable to destruction.


The role of INML, recalls Francisco Corte-Real, "is not to assign blame or criminal responsibility for any acts." Technicians of genetics and forensic biology are limited to analyze facts, based on knowledge and scientific rigour, and to prepare reports for consideration by the courts, which decide, after being confronted with other means of proof.


In the service of genetics and forensic biology competes him the conduct of surveys and examinations of laboratories of:


• forensic hematology;

• organic traces of blood stains found at sites of the crimes, semen left on the victims of crimes of a sexual nature, hair that belongs to the suspect of a crime;

• identification of biological relationships (identification of paternity or maternity, among others);

• Individual genetic identification (identification of a body or fragments of a body);







History ...




Genetics and Forensic Biology originated during the first uses of genetic characteristics in paternity tests, helping justice.

The modern phase of Forensic Genetics began in the decade of 1980 when researchers discovered highly variable regions of DNA, able to specifically identify a person.


In 1985, Sir Alec Jeffreys calls the unique DNA of a person "DNA fingerprinting".

During the decade of 1990, with the popularization of PCR, were developed techniques of increasing sensitivity, able to identify the origin of biological samples with very little DNA.




Thanks to advances in technology, this area of forensic science has developed considerably, in the world. As a result there are an abundance of laboratories in existance in Portugal and elsewhere, that perform paternity and maternity tests, examinations of individual genetic identification among others, showing a great adherence by the people.

Written by: Teresa Felgueiras

Translated by: Teresa Felgueiras

Bibliography:

Http://jn.sapo.pt/2005/09/07/sociedade/genetica_forense_servico_justica.html Http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gen% C3% A9tica_forense Http://medicina.med.up.pt/legal/IntroducaoML.pdf